Why study women, gender and sexuality studies?
WGSS was built out of the dual goals of examining inequalities resulting from gender, race, sexual orientation, and class using an interdisciplinary lens and translating this research into meaningful, tangible knowledge that contributes to the betterment of communities. Our interdisciplinary faculty members are engaged in research that examines many of the cutting-edge issues vexing contemporary times, both domestically and internationally, such as discrimination, violence, human trafficking, health and inequality, and migration, to name a few. The common thread throughout these different areas of research is the focus on investigating the factors that create and contribute to vulnerability and power across time and geography.
WGSS students learn about the ways in which people's roles in society have been constructed and the ways in which these roles have changed and continue to change. WGSS courses will make you informed about, and sensitive to, issues of gender in relation to education, lifestyle, social roles and status, sexuality, legal status, and equity. You may face these issues at work, in society, and in your world; WGSS courses will help you to deal with them in an informed, responsible, and just manner.
What will women, gender, & sexuality studies give me?
- Awareness of the issues facing people of all genders – and the world – today.
- Knowledge of many different academic fields.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong writing and researching abilities.
- A solid base on which to enter the workforce, pursue further education, and have an impact in the world.
- Graduates of WGSS go on to do many different things, and the possibilities are endless.
Admission to Graduate Studies
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Admission
The Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies PhD program accepts applications for fall admission only. All applications and admissions materials must be received by the deadline listed on the department's website to be considered for admission for the following fall semester.
Application Materials
Applicants should upload the supporting application documents listed below to the online application. There is no need to send copies of application materials directly to the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies department.
- Copy of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Resume or CV
- Statement of purpose (no longer than two pages, single spaced)
- Writing sample (no longer than 30 pages)
- Three letters of recommendation
Contact
Visit the Department of Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies website for detailed information about PhD admissions requirements.
Ph.D. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Degree Requirements
The following courses are required for all students in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Ph.D. These courses must be completed by the end of the semester of the oral comprehensive exam. Note that these are minimum requirements to be approved to move forward to the oral comprehensive exam. The Ph.D. program requires completion of core and elective courses. All course work should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| WGSS 800 | History of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies | 3 |
| WGSS 801 | Feminist Theory (or an alternate WGSS theory course with permission of the director of graduate studies) | 3 |
| WGSS 802 | Feminist Methodologies | 3 |
| WGSS 803 | Feminist Pedagogy | 1.5 |
| WGSS 804 | Professionalization Seminar in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 1.5 |
| 15 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 12 |
| Total Hours | 45 |
Suggested Departments for Outside Course Work
WGSS Graduate Students often take course work in departments including: African and African-American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Classics (Greek and Roman Studies), Communication Studies, English, Film and Media Studies, History, History of Art, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre, Indigenous Studies, and Museum Studies. Students who wish to pursue course work in alternate departments may do so in consultation with their faculty advisor and/or the director of graduate studies.
Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship
The University requires that every doctoral student receive training in responsible scholarship pertinent to the field of research and obtain research skills pertinent to the doctoral level of research in their field(s). These requirements must be completed by the end of the semester that the student takes the oral comprehensive exam. For students in the Ph.D. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, this requirement is satisfied by completion of:
1. WGSS 802
2. WGSS 803
3. WGSS 804
Written Qualifying Exam
Students will take a qualifying exam after completing (or enrolling in enough hours to complete) 30 credit hours of course work, typically in their 4th semester of the program. This exam covers material in WGSS history, theory, and methods. Students who successfully complete the qualifying exam will be awarded the M.A. degree in WGSS. The committee will also weigh the quality of the performance on the exam to determine if the student will be approved to continue on to the Ph.D. Awarding of the M.A. degree does not guarantee approval to continue to the Ph.D.
Comprehensive Oral Exam
Oral presentation and defense of a portfolio to a faculty committee. The portfolio consists of all major written work (exams, papers, syllabi), 3 annotated bibliographies, and a dissertation prospectus. The committee must meet the requirements outlined in the Office of Graduate Studies' Doctoral Student Oral Exam Committee Composition policy.
Post Comprehensive Exam Requirements
Upon passing the comprehensive examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree and is approved to proceed with their dissertation research and project. Starting the semester following successful completion of the oral comprehensive exam, students must enroll in accordance with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Candidacy policy. This enrollment includes, but is not limited to, at least 1 dissertation hour every semester until graduation. See the Doctoral Candidacy policy for more information about this University level requirement
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation must be an original work of research that advances the field and complies with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Dissertation policy. Upon approval by the students committee that the student’s dissertation research and written document is complete, the student must defend the dissertation before all committee members in the “final oral examination,” or dissertation defense. The final dissertation defense includes a public presentation of the dissertation research by the candidate and concludes with a period of questioning by the committee. After posing questions to the student about the dissertation work, committee members deliberate and vote on a grade of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A grade of Satisfactory requires a majority vote, and may be contingent on the completion of specific revisions by a designated due date.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies doctoral program is located in the department's graduate student handbook.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Display Knowledge of the Field.
- Display Subject Area Expertise.
- Display Written and Oral Communication.
- Display Social Responsibility.
- Display Research Design.
